UK brand perception in the US
Discussion
I was wondering if the BP situation might've 'poisoned the well' 
so to speak, not to mention the likes of Piers Morgan etc etc doing their bit to give the Brits a bad name. Good to see we're not just the bad guys in the movies (and yep, I can see that box situation you describe not going down too well!).
so to speak, not to mention the likes of Piers Morgan etc etc doing their bit to give the Brits a bad name. Good to see we're not just the bad guys in the movies (and yep, I can see that box situation you describe not going down too well!).belleair302 said:
It does depend upon the product and the market you are selling into? Different areas of the US economy view the UK from a variety of standpoints.
If you want to sell anything with a wire in it, expect Americans to question whether Lucas made the electrical components ("Why is British beer warm? Because Lucas made the refrigerator compressor motors"). And don't try to sell anything related to dentristry - see this:http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f0e_1351008329&...
205alive - you really need to tell us what you are trying to find out.
If you want something new to the US to do well in the US then it comes down to global brand perception. For example.....
If you took the person who shops at Nieman Marcus, they just want "the best" wherever that comes from. Church's shoes would do well there if they aren't sold there already.
If somebody wants a decent beer, they may want a British one based on global reputation - this is why you see so much of it in party stores. If it is the same as something they can get in the US, they'd be daft to pay extra for it.
If somebody wants a cost no object car they consider Rolls Royce and Bentley.
British HiFi is world renowned and so there is huge call for brands like Linn and B&W.
If you want something new to the US to do well in the US then it comes down to global brand perception. For example.....
If you took the person who shops at Nieman Marcus, they just want "the best" wherever that comes from. Church's shoes would do well there if they aren't sold there already.
If somebody wants a decent beer, they may want a British one based on global reputation - this is why you see so much of it in party stores. If it is the same as something they can get in the US, they'd be daft to pay extra for it.
If somebody wants a cost no object car they consider Rolls Royce and Bentley.
British HiFi is world renowned and so there is huge call for brands like Linn and B&W.
I plan to bring an item of clothing to market - not purely fashion, more of a good quality, good looking, practical/utility item (without wanting to reveal too much at this stage).
I'd like to try to capitalise on the fact that it's British designed, British manufactured with British manufactured fabric/textiles. However further down the line do I make the decision to arrange manufacturing in the US if it's a popular product, or to continue to sell direct to US customers, or export to a US distributor.
That's the underlying reason for the UK-brand-perception question.
I'd like to try to capitalise on the fact that it's British designed, British manufactured with British manufactured fabric/textiles. However further down the line do I make the decision to arrange manufacturing in the US if it's a popular product, or to continue to sell direct to US customers, or export to a US distributor.
That's the underlying reason for the UK-brand-perception question.
belleair302 said:
You are going to have to spend huge money on product placement, PR and making sure the right people are seen with it in the right places. Am hoping your marketing budget is ample to break the US market....also how about a web strategy, twitter feeds and photo opportunities.....
Zero of what you've stated above is necessary to get a product to market; I think you're possibly getting slightly carried away.205alive said:
I plan to bring an item of clothing to market - not purely fashion, more of a good quality, good looking, practical/utility item (without wanting to reveal too much at this stage).
I'd like to try to capitalise on the fact that it's British designed, British manufactured with British manufactured fabric/textiles. However further down the line do I make the decision to arrange manufacturing in the US if it's a popular product, or to continue to sell direct to US customers, or export to a US distributor.
That's the underlying reason for the UK-brand-perception question.
It would have to be very upmarket for a switch to US manufacture, only top line rag trade stuff is made in the US, everything else is imported usually from tax except zones in third world or developing countries.I'd like to try to capitalise on the fact that it's British designed, British manufactured with British manufactured fabric/textiles. However further down the line do I make the decision to arrange manufacturing in the US if it's a popular product, or to continue to sell direct to US customers, or export to a US distributor.
That's the underlying reason for the UK-brand-perception question.
Whether a Cano would buy an upmarket coat similar to a waxy Barbour (the first typically Brit item that comes to mind) without trying it on, I doubt. They would want to try it on.
You could however try to get a line accepted at a store like Saks.
I guess their buyers are brutal, I expect you already knew that
Assume you already did a US Ebay search. Similar products! Completed sales etc.
Some friends of my family own a cashmere and high end clothing business. Amongst other clients they make the shirts for Pink. I was very surprised to walk into J Crew in the Rockefeller center to see that they had dedicated the upstairs to cashmere a few years ago and had our friends family crest 10ft high.
Point being, Americans love the pomp and circumstance of English history and tradition. Play on it and find some good partners to make the most of it. Networking will be key. Just by living in the NYC area I have contacts in Bloomingdales and Macy's.
Point being, Americans love the pomp and circumstance of English history and tradition. Play on it and find some good partners to make the most of it. Networking will be key. Just by living in the NYC area I have contacts in Bloomingdales and Macy's.
I appreciate the points made and advice given. At the moment this is a small scale interprise but at some point I have to consider possible growth and plan to adapt accordingly if it happens.
As far as the brutality of Saks buyers, I haven't had that that 'pleasure' yet but now I know what to expect if things work out! h0b0, I'm going to keep your details to hand. When/if the US market appears to be interested, I might send you a message for further advice, if that's OK.
Thanks guys.
As far as the brutality of Saks buyers, I haven't had that that 'pleasure' yet but now I know what to expect if things work out! h0b0, I'm going to keep your details to hand. When/if the US market appears to be interested, I might send you a message for further advice, if that's OK.
Thanks guys.
Take a look at http://www.bloomingdales.com. They have been really pushing their UK ties. They sent us a magazine that was very thick and obviously cost them a fortune to print. It was dedicated to UK brands.
205alive said:
I was wondering if the BP situation might've 'poisoned the well' so to speak, not to mention the likes of Piers Morgan etc etc doing their bit to give the Brits a bad name. Good to see we're not just the bad guys in the movies (and yep, I can see that box situation you describe not going down too well!).
Hi Speaking from the UK , that BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was bad ,but, do you realise American oil Companies spill more oil onto the land in Nigeria, Africa every year polluting the water as well as the land ,but this is probably not publicised in the US, I am not saying this as "sour grapes", also BP have been forced to pay compensation to those who have put in false claims, here in the UK we think that is a disgrace, but it may be some in the US (as we see it ) want to destroy BP.Unfortunately you are losing friends and support in the UK it's a pity, when we all need friends, were like you we are trying to survive the Chinese imports and trying to save jobs as a result. Lucky you Black Friday is nearly here,remember "Buy Made in America" or "made in UK" we need each other. so to speak, not to mention the likes of Piers Morgan etc etc doing their bit to give the Brits a bad name. Good to see we're not just the bad guys in the movies (and yep, I can see that box situation you describe not going down too well!).Gassing Station | USA & Canada | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff